The subject of Stone Temple Pilots replacing longtime frontman Scott Weiland with Linkin Park singer Chester Bennington is a heated one. Some fans think the move completely wrong, while others are embracing Bennington in his new role.

No matter how you feel about Bennington fronting Stone Temple Pilots, bass player Robert DeLeo says he believes Bennington is a perfect fit, because the Linkin Park singer is a longtime fan of the band’s grungy tunes.

“He’s made it clear that he grew up on our music,” DeLeo explained to the Star-Ledger . “But the thing that sold me was that he told us that the only way he’d ever want to do this is if we honor the past and move forward in a creative direction. That’s what we wanted, too.”

DeLeo says he and the guys of Stone Temple Pilots have nothing but good feelings towards Weiland. “We had a lot of great years with Scott, and we made amazing music together,” he said. “But somewhere along the line, the vision was lost. We wish Scott the best.”

Stone Temple Pilots will release their new EP, “High Rise,” under the moniker Stone Temple Pilots with Chester Bennington on Oct. 8.